Spring support device



y 25, 1955 s. suozzo 3,185,417

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United States Patent 3,185,417 SPRING SUPPORT DEVICE Leonard S. Suozzo,Hackensaclr, NJ. (50 Church St., New York 7, NY.) Filed Mar. 29, 1962,Ser. No. 183,638 6 Claims. (Cl. 248-54) This invention relates to theart of support devices and, more particularly, to a spring supportdevice for properly and adequately supporting a load and for permittingmovement of the load as required by particular conditions of use.

The spring support device of this invention is capable of effectivelysupporting various types of loads. The device is specially useful forsupporting and maintaining 'wires, cables and the like under propertension. In this connection, the device of the present invention may beadvantageously employed in electrified railroads which utilizeelectrically conductive overhead trolley wires. Such wires are usuallystrung between spaced vertical columns or poles. The spans between pairsof successive columns or poles are frequently quite long. As aconsequence, the length of wire in an individual span may expand orcontract substantially due to variations in arm This results incorresponding variations in both the sag and the tension of the wire ina span. The sag of the wire may vary from a few inches to 24 inches, ormore, and the tension may vary correspondingly.

The device of this invention may also be beneficially employed in otherlocations, including steam power plants and various categories ofchemical plants, for adequately supporting piping arrangements whilepermitting substantial movement of the piping as the result of expansionor contraction thereof, due to temperature changes in the material ofthe piping.

The spring support device of this invention is capable of performing anumber of desirable functions, depending on its specific intended use.Moreover, the device is very versatile and may be utilized to afford avariable supporting force, a constant supporting force or a combinationvariable-constant supporting force. The nature of the supporting forceafforded by the device depends on the particular type of spring meansemployed and its relationship to other cooperating parts of the device,as will be evident to persons trained in the art from thedetaileddescription that follows.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a spring supportdevice having improved structural features and operationalcharacteristics.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring support devicethat is adapted to properly support a load and, at the same time, permitsubstantial travel of the load, as required by conditions of use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spring support devicethat may have the attributes and characteristics of and serve as avariable support device, a constant support device, and/or a combinedvariable support device and constant support device, depending on thespecific design employed and the relationship of the spring means toother parts of the device.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a device of thecharacter indicated that is simple, compact and lightweight in design;that is sturdy and durable Fee in construction; that is reasonable inmanufacturing, installation and maintenance costs; and that is capableof performing its intended functions in a safe and dependable manner.

The enumerated objects and other objects, together with the advantagesof the invention, will be readily understood by persons trained in theart from the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings Which respectively describe and illustrate a complete springsupport device of this invention and several modifications thereof.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a spring support device constructed inaccordance with this invention, the device being suspended from anoverload supporting structure and operatively connected to a load;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4- illustrates the spring support device of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3mounted on a vertical supporting structure instead of an overheadsupporting structure;

FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 2 and illustrates a modified form of springsupport device of this invention;

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 3 and illustrates another modification of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the cam and pulley arrangement shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a spring characteristic diagram which is derived from the useof disc springs of the type shown in FIG' 3; and

FIG. 9 is a spring characteristic diagram which is derived from the useof a helical compression spring shown in FIG. 6.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the therein illustrated springsupport device of this invention is generally designated by the letterD. This form of the invention comprises a housing H which consists of acylindrical side wall It, a first end wall 11 which is welded to theside wall, as indicated at 12, and a second end wall 13 which is spacedfrom end wall 11 and is welded to the side wall, as indicated at 14. Endwall 11 is provided with a central through opening 15 while end wall 13is provided with a like but larger opening 16.

Positioned within the housing is a pair of rectilinear guide tubes 17and 18 which are coaxial with each other and with openings 15 and 16.Guide tube 17 is Welded to end wall 11, as indicated at 20, while guidetube 18 is Welded to end wall 13, as indicated at 21. A tubular backingmember 22, which is open at its right end, as

viewed in FIG. 3, has a central opening 23 in its closed end. Member 22is slidable in guide tube 17 and along guide tube 18. A tubular element24 is coaxial with opening 23 and is Welded to the closed end of member22, as indicated at 25. Element 24 is formed with .a pair ofdiametrically opposed slots 26.

A plurality of sets 27 of disc springs 28 is carried by guide tube 1%. Aspacing ring 30 is positioned between each set of springs. Additionally,a spacing ring 31 is disposed between the free end of tubular member 22and the next adjacent disc spring 28 and a like spacing ring 32 islocated between housing end wall 13 and the next adjacent disc spring.The configuration and arrangement 3 of individual disc springs 28 andsets of such springs may be the same as or similar to those which areillustrated and described in my Patent No. 2,939,663, granted June 7,1960, to which reference may be had for details of construction andoperation.

Device D also comprises a pair of spaced parallel plates 34 which arepositioned to opposite sides of the center of opening 16. Plates 34 arewelded to end wall 13 and extend to the right of housing H, as viewed inFIGS. 1 and 3. A third plate 35 spans the space between plates 34 and iswelded thereto, as indicated at 36. Plate 35 is provided with aplurality of openings for reception of bolts 37 whereby the device maybe attached to an overhead beam or the like 38. Plates 34 are providedwith aligned circular openings 40 and aligned arcuate slots 41. A porionof each plate, which defines a corresponding slot 41, is provided with ascale having graduations 42 to indicate load travel.

A stationary shaft 43 in secured at its ends to plates 34. A rotarymember 44 is positioned between plates 34 and is rotatable about theaxis of shaft 43. Member 44 is an incomplete circular pulley in that thearcuate portion of its periphery does not form a complete circle. Itwill be evident from an examination of FIG. 3 that member 44 is theequivalent of a sector of a circular pulley and has an arcuateperipheral groove 45 (FIG. 2). Member 44 carries a pin 46 which isparallel to shaft 43 and registers with plate slots 41. This pin servesas a stop element to limit angular movement of member 44 relative toplates 34 in opposite directions about the axis of shaft 43. Each end ofpin 46 is formed with an indicator pointer 47 that cooperates withgraduations 42 to denote load travel. Member 44 has at least onecircular opening 48 that is adapted to be aligned with plate openings40. A removable pin 49 registers with openings 40 and 48 and maintainsmember 44 in selected angular position relative to plates 34. This pinis mounted in place at the time the device is assembled and is removedafter the device is installed and adjusted.

Affixed to member 44, preferably by welding, is a pair of guide members50 and 51 which define parallel guide grooves 52 and 53, respectively,that are equi-spaced from the axis of shaft 43. A third guide member 55is also welded to member 44 and is normal to guide grooves 52 and 53.This guide member carries .a scale having graduations 56. A wedge typemember 57 is slidable along member 55 and has an indicator marking 58that coacts with graduations 56 to denote its position relative tomember 55. An adjusting screw 68 extends through member 51 and engages atap 61 in member 55.

A slide block 62 is cooperatively associated with guide members 56 and51 and wedge member 57. Block 62 is generally U-shaped and defines anopening 63 for reception of shaft 43. This block has side extensions 64and 65 that respectively register with guide grooves 52 and 53. The freeends of the block bear against the inclined face of the wedge memberwhile the other end or web portion is formed with an arcuate groove 66.It will be appreciated from an examination of FIG. 3 that the distancefrom the axis of shaft 43 to groove 66 may be increased or decreased, asdesired, by turning adjusting screw 68 whereby to correspondingly movewedge member 57 toward the left or toward the right.

A first flexible connector, such as a wire rope 67, is anchored at oneend to a block 68. Integral with block 68 is a pair of coaxial pins '70that register with slots 26 to permit axial movement of the blockrelative to tubular element 24 and prevent relative angular movement ofthese parts. Block 68 is equipped with a threaded rod 71 which extendsthrough and beyond opening 23 in tubular member 22 and which is providedwith an adjusting nut 72. The other end of the wire rope is anchored toside block 62, as indicated at 73, and rides in arcuate groove 66.

A second flexible connector, such as a wire rope 74, is

4 anchored at one end to member 44, as indicated at 75, and rides in itsgroove 45. The other end of wire rope 74 is connected to a load L, suchas a piping section 76, by means of a strap 77 which embraces the pipingsection.

For the purpose of outlining the operation of the form of the inventionshown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it is assumed that device D has beenassembled and is mounted, as illustrated in FIG. 1, with plate 35connected to beam 38 and with wire rope 74 connected to piping load L.It is also assumed that the par-ts of the device are in the relativeposition shown in FIG. 3. In the course of installation, preset pin 49is removed, thereby allowing the parts of the device to operate andfunction in a normal manner.

The force exerted by load L is transmitted through wire rope 74, member44, member 62, wire rope 67, connector 71, and backing member 22 to discsprings 28. The springs are so constructed and arranged as to supply avariable supporting force, a constant supporting force or a combinationvariable-constant supporting force, depending on the selected range ofdeflection of individual springs. Also, members 62 and 44 are soconstructed and arranged as to permit preselected travel of the load inresponse to corresponding deflection of individual disc springs. Suchload travel may be varied by correspondingly moving wedge member 57.This is accomplished by turning adjusting screw 60 so that the distancefrom the axis of shaft 43 to groove 66 in increased or decreased, asdesired, to meet particular load travel requirements.

FIG. 4 illustrates -above-described device D secured to a verticalsupporting structure, such as a building column 78. The arrangementshown in this view is similar to that in earlier views, the essentialdifference being that device D is turned 90 from the position shown inFIG. 1.

The modification of the invention shown in FIG. 5 differs over thatappearing in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 only in that it utilizes a pair of members44 and a pair of wire ropes 74 instead of a single member 44 and asingle wire rope 74. In FIG. 5, both members 44 are preferably coupledfor rotation in unison about the axis of shaft 43.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the spring support device of the modificationof the invention illustrated therein is generally denoted by the letterD. This form of the invention embodies a number of parts and elementswhich were earlier described, including housing H, plates 34 and 35,tubular element 24, slide block 68, wire ropes 67 and 74 and stationaryshaft 43.

In FIG. 6, a section of tubing 79, which may be the same as or similarto guide tube 18, is positioned in the housing and is welded to end wall13. A guide pulley 80 is located within tubing section 79 and is mountedfor rotation about the axis of a shaft 81 which is secured to the tubingsection. Also positioned in the housing is a helical compression spring82 which bears at one end against housing wall 13 and at its other endagainst a backing plate 83. Tubular element 24 is welded to the backingplate and threaded rod 71 of its slide block 68 extends through acentral opening 84 in the backing plate.

A substantially complete circular pulley 85 is disposed between plates34 and is rotatable about the axis of shaft 43. This pulley is providedwith a peripheral groove 86 and carries a pin 46 (earlier described)which registers with elongated arcuate grooves 87 that correspond togrooves 41.

A cam 90 is secured to pulley 85 and is rotatable therewith about shaft43. The cam has a peripheral groove 91. Wire rope 67 is anchored at oneend to block 68, bears against guide pulley 80, rides in cam groove 91and is secured at its other end to cam 90 by a connector 92.

Wire rope 74 is anchored at one end to pulley 85, as indicated at 93,and rides in pulley groove 86. The other end of this wire rope isadapted to be connected to a load in the same manner or a similar mannerto that described with reference to FIG. 1.

The camming peripheral surface of cam 90 defines an involute type curve,as best shown in FIG. 7, wherein 'l0=thespring constant of spring 82, Lethe rate of change of spring force per inch; ;F =k; timesthe compressionof spring 82 in inches;

L=the load supported by the device;

r, r r r =successiveradii extending from the axis of rotation of the camto its camming surface; and R =the radius of pulley 85.

The values of F, L and R may be preselected, after which the valueof rmay be determined by the use of this equation. Thus,

The values of r r r etc., may be similarly determined:

The operation of the form of the invention shown in FIG. 6 is similar tothat of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. It will be appreciated that the constructionappearing in FIG. 6 permits the device to serve as a constant support.

The load-deflection curve shown in FIG. 8 is based on the use of discsprings. The flat portion of the curve, labelled a indicates the part ofthe deflection of the disc springs which afiords constant support. Theportions labelled b and b indicate deflection ranges in which the forceexerted by the disc springs is partly constant and partly variable. Thusthe use of disc springs in the device of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 permits thedevice to afford constant and/or variable support.

Referring to FIG. 9, it will be observed that the i1- lustratedload-deflection curve is that of a helical spring, such as spring 82,and is a straight line. The force exerted by such a spring is variable.However, by utilizing the cam 90 and designing and arranging the partsas earlier described, the moment of the spring force is equal to themoment of the load, and the device is capable of functioning as aconstant support.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation,objects and advantages of my present invention will be readilycomprehended by persons skilled in the art, without further description.It is to be clearly understood, however, that various changes in the construction described above and illustrated inthe drawings may be madewithout departing. from the scope of the invention, it being intendedthat all matter contained in the description or shown in the drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising support meansincluding a housing having an end wall, a guide tube aflixed to the endwall and projecting into the housing, a backing member within thehousing, said backing member being spaced from and movable relative tothe end wall, spring means within the housing, said spring means beingpositioned between and bearing against the end wall and the backingmember, said spring means comprising at least one disc spring having acentral opening through which the guide tube extends, said disc springbeing slidable along the guide tube, a shaft carried by the supportmeans and disposed to the side of the end Wall remote from the springmeans, a rotary member mounted for rotation about the axis of the shaftand having a peripheral portion which is a substantial part of an arc ofacircle a unit secured to and rotatable with the rotary member, saidunit being slidable along a path that is substantially parallel to a.radius of the rotary member and having a curved peripheral portion, afirst flexible connector secured at one end to the backing member and atits other end to the unit, said flexible connector engaging said curvedperipheral portion of the unit, and a second flexible connector securedat one end to the rotary member and adapted to be secured at its otherend to a load, said second flexible connector engaging said portion ofthe rotary member.

2. A device of the character described comprising support meansincluding a housing having an end wall, a guide tube aflixed to the endwall and projecting into the housing, a backing member within thehousing, said backing member being spaced from and movable relative tothe end wall, spring means within the housing, said spring means beingpositioned between and bearing against the end wall and the backingmember, said spring means comprising at least one disc spring having acentral opening through which the guide tube extends, said disc springbeing slidable along the guide tube, a shaft carried by the supportmeans and disposed to the side of the end a wall remote from the springmeans, a rotary member mounted for rotation about the axis of the shaftand having a peripheral portion which is a substantial part of an arc ofa circle, a unit secured to and rotatable with the rotary member, saidunit having a curved peripheral portion, means for adjustably varyingthe position of the unit relative to the rotary member along a path thatis substantially parallel to a radius of the rotary member, a firstflexible connector secured at one end to the backing member and at itsother end to the unit, said flexible connector engaging said curvedperipheral portion of the unit, and a second flexible connector securedat one end to the rotary member and adapted to be secured at its otherend to a load, said second flexible connector engaging said portion ofthe rotary member.

3. A device according to claim 2 including means for varying theelfective length of the first flexible connector and the loading on thespring means.

4. A device according to claim 2 including means for limiting angularmovement of the rotary member in either direction about the axis of theshaft.

5. A device of the character described comprising support meansincluding a housing having an end Wall, a backing member within thehousing, said backing member being spaced from and movable relative tothe end Wall, spring means within the housing, said spring means beingpositioned between and bearing against the end wall and the backingmember, said spring means comprising a helical compression spring, aguide within the confines of the compression spring, a shaft carried bythe support means and disposed to the side of the end Wall remote fromthe spring means, said shaft being substantially normal to thelongitudinal axis of the compression spring, a rotary member mounted forrotation about the axis of the shaft and having a peripheral portionwhich is a substantial part of an arc of a circle, a unit secured to androtatable with the rotary member, said unit being so configured andarranged as to form a peripheral camming surface, successive pointsalong said camming surface lying'on corresponding radii of the shaftwhich are of progressively increasing length, a first flexible connectorextending through the longitudinal opening defined by the compressionspring and secured at one end to the backing member and at its other endto the unit, said flexible connector engaging the guide and said curvedperipheral portion of the unit, means for varying the effective lengthof the first flexible connector and the loading on the spring means, anda second flexible connector secured at one end to the rotary member andadapted to be secured at its other end to a load, said second flexibleconnector engaging said portion of the rotary member.

6. A device according to claim 5 including means for limiting angularmovement of the rotary member in either direction about the axis of theshaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,129,320 9/38Geairns 248-54 2,178,122 10/39 Ostler et a1 74-590 2,939,663 6/60 Suozzo248-54 FOREIGN PATENTS 598,340 5/60 Canada.

10 CLAUD A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

1. A DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING SUPPORT MEANSINCLUDING A HOUSING HAVING AN END WALL, A GUIDE TUBE AFFIXED TO THE ENDWALL AND PROJECTING INTO THE HOUSING, A BACKING MEMBER WITHIN THEHOUSING, SAID BACKING MEMBER BEING SPACED FROM AND MOVABLE RELATIVE TOTHE END WALL, SPRING MEANS WITHIN THE HOUSING, SAID SPRING MEANS BEINGPOSITIONED BETWEEN AND BEARING AGAINST THE END WALL AND THE BACKINGMEMBER, SAID SPRING MEANS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE DISC SPRING HAVING ACENTRAL OPENING THROUGH WHICH THE GUIDE TUBE EXTENDS, SAID DISC SPRINGBEING SLIDABLE ALONG THE GUIDE TUBE, A SHAFT CARRIED BY THE SUPPORTMEANS AND DISPOSED TO THE SIDE OF THE END WALL REMOTE FROM THE SPRINGMEANS, A ROTARY MEMBER MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT THE AXIS OF THE SHAFTAND HAVING A PERIPHERAL PORTION WHICH IS A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF AN ARC OFA CIRCLE, A UNIT SECURED TO AND ROTATABLE WITH THE ROTARY MEMBER, SAIDUNIT BEING SLIDABLE ALONG A PART THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO ARADIUS OF THE ROTARY MEMBER AND HAVING A CURVED PERIPHERAL PORTION, AFIRST FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR SECURED AT ONE END TO THE BACKING MEMBER AND ATITS OTHER END TO THE UNIT, SAID FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR ENGAGING SAID CURVEDPERIPHERAL PORTION OF THE UNIT, AND A SECOND FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR SECUREDAT ONE END TO THE ROTARY MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO BE SECURED AT ITS OTHEREND TO A LOAD, SAID SECOND FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR ENGAGING SAID PORTION OFTHE ROTARY MEMBER.